FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – An investigation is underway after election signs were vandalized overnight in several surrounding areas. Land of sugar And Stafford.

According to authorities, on Monday, October 28, the Sugar Land Police Department notified the District Attorney’s Office that election signs had been damaged at several polling places.

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District Attorney investigators began an investigation and observed that there were signs that at least three different candidates, from both political parties, had been shot and left on the ground.

DA investigators are working with local law enforcement to identify who is responsible for the damage.

Criminal mischief charges could be filed. If the total value of the damage exceeds $100, violators face prison time.

Officials said that during the 2024 primary election, one person was charged, prosecuted and ordered to pay more than $1,500 in restitution for destroying candidates’ signs.

This follows reported sign thefts at the Cinco Ranch Library vote in Katy last week, officials said. More than 30 signs were stolen from the location, which is also under investigation.

Not every sign that disappears is stolen. Some are placed without the landowner’s permission or are illegally in the right-of-way, which would be removed by the Texas Department of Transportation.

“I formed the Election Integrity Security Task Force in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies in 2020 to monitor election activity to ensure the integrity of the election process and maintaining the safety of voters and election workers,” DA Middleton said. “The Task Force has intervened in every election since 2020 to protect voters and election workers. Election workers have dedicated numbers to call if they need help.

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Officials said the task force’s main goal is to ensure that voters can freely and safely exercise their right to vote while polls are open. They work with municipal law enforcement to patrol the outer perimeter of polling places and investigate complaints. Unfortunately, theft and vandalism of election signs happens every election and should be reported to local police.

“Signs don’t vote, people vote. Tearing down political signs is wrong and probably won’t change the outcome of the election,” Middleton said. “And while task force officers work during polling hours, patrol officers work 24 hours a day. There are security cameras everywhere, and when we identify those responsible, they will be prosecuted. “

If anyone has a complaint when they arrive to vote, they can call the election hotline at 281-341-8670 or email [email protected]. If you witness a crime or have information about campaign-related vandalism or theft, please call 911 or the non-emergency number of your local police department.